Learn about the Guilford annexation and vote no

Published: October 6, 2007 2:56 PM

The Extension Fact Sheet publication (CDFS-1260-98) contains some pertinent information about the "Costs of Community Services" in relation to annexations, economic growth, etc. Our community is facing a controversial annexation issue and it is up to the citizen to learn about this issue and thus to make an educated vote in November to prevent annexation of Guilford Township property for this new development/neighborhood.

I live in the community of Rittman, Ohio in Wayne County and the annexation in question is 15+ acres located in Guilford Township in Medina County. I was originally for this annexation based on information (positive info only) that I found on the Internet as well as from information being distributed by the Rittman Mayor and other advocates for this annexation. However, I have continued investigating, researching, and listening to not only advocates for the annexation but to the opponents as well (including Guilford Township residents) and have thus learned that this particular annexation is not only morally wrong but economically detrimental to the citizens of Rittman as well. I was very wrong in thinking that this annexation would be good because I was ignorant about the details at the time.

The situation involves one property owner in Guildford who wishes to be annexed onto Rittman. She will then produce a residential development (with another "Phase II" of many more acres to be annexed after the initial 15+ acres) in which she will be able to build many houses (such as 4 per acre!!) on each acre. However, if the property is not annexed and thus stays in Guilford, there is only one house per 4 acres permitted. The Guilford Township residents do not want this annexation to take place (aside from the property owner). These residents bought their homes out in the country knowing that it would be legally impossible to alter this country atmosphere at any time in the future yet they are now faced with the fact that their neighborhood will indeed be transformed into a house-to-house-to-house city residential neighborhood. This is due to a "loop-hole" that was found by the developer's/property owner's associates about the property having a diminutive physical contact with Rittman property at one corner of the whole property in question.

This is no ordinary annexation either but a type 2 annexation, which will allow more than 87% of the real estate taxes to stay in the township in Medina County as well as the Cloverleaf school district. However, all of our (Rittman's) safety services such as police, fire, and EMS as well as street maintenance etc will have to service this neighborhood, which will not be paid for by this neighborhood but by us (all the other citizens). This is going to hurt the residents in Rittman, as our tax dollar will be paying for this neighborhood, while the neighborhood's tax dollar will be paying for their schools in Cloverleaf.

This issue has even made it onto the November political picking table to be voted on only by the Rittman Residents (sadly, the Guilford Township residents have no say whatsoever in the outcome). Thank you Mrs. Shawn Vallery and Mr. Waggy (and others) for spreading the word to help us (Rittman citizens) understand what is going on in the sometimes vague and bias Government. I am convinced, after learning about the differences of this particular annexation compared to a standard annexation, that the pros do not outweigh the cons and that we, as citizens, should evaluate all aspects of this issue and then vote accordingly on the issue in November.